The Waterline
April 25, 2013
Vol. XXX No. 16
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NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
Naval Support Activity Washington CO Reflects on Time at Helm By Patrick Gordon NDW Waterline
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Kiona Miller
Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity Washington Cmdr. David Varner attempts to remove a Yucca plant during a National Day of Remembrance, Sept. 10, 2011. The event marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the first-ever federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.
As the commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW) transitions over to civilian life, Cmdr. David Varner reflects on his tenure as the person in command of six fence lines. Varner understood the responsibility of his new position, as it was also his first shore command. Before commanding NSAW, Varner served as the operations section head at the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), United States Strategic Command. He was responsible to the President, Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for monitoring and providing situational awareness of worldwide U.S. forces and federal agencies. “When I got here, I was commanding officer of Naval Support Activity North Potomac, and then six months later it was merged with Naval Support Activity Wash-
ington, so it became an O-6 major command with an O-5 at the helm,” said Varner. “There were some challenges for me, but looking back, I wouldn’t change anything. I certainly don’t know everything, but I sure know a whole lot more than after I graduated from 17-days of triple-S L [Shore Station Senior Leadership] class.” The Naval aviator and former member of the Blue Angles knew NSAW would be different from his previous billets. While Varner was in command of NSA North Potomac, the Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) Commission merger of North Potomac and NSAW took place. Coordinating the merger of the two commands was a daunting task, but Varner said he took it in stride and viewed it as a formative experience, and one of his greatest achievements while CO. “I think for most folks outside looking in, they might see some accomplishments like
See Reflect, Page 6
Naval District Washington Salutes Service Members’ Children during Month of the Military Child By Patrick Gordon NDW Waterline writer
During the month of April military installations across the globe are celebrating the contributions and sacrifices of service members’ children during the Month of the Military Child. Naval District Washington (NDW) has also been holding events all month-long at its various installations in support of military children and everything they do. “Military children, youth and teens are an integral part of their military parent because they stand by them, they’re proud of them, they recognize their sacrifices and they take on additional responsibilities to meet the needs of their families,” said Barbara Thompson, director of Department of Defense’s (DOD) office of family policy/ children and youth. “That’s why we recognize that children serve, too.” There are nearly 2 million children of American service members, and since 1983 the DOD has been committed to recognizing the part they play in the lives of our country’s warfighters. Many military children move multiple times before they graduate from high school, and must endure long months of separation when a parent is
deployed. The Month of the Military Child and its corresponding events ensure that they and their efforts are appreciated. In NDW, representatives have been doing their part to show support for those military children. To kick off the month, Naval Air Station Patuxent River held a Military Child Field Day April 1. Included were activities such as a parachute game, a bounce house, dizzy bat and more. Naval Support Activity Annapolis set up a Month of the Military Child information and giveaway table at the Annapolis Navy Exchange April 12. And Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) has held a variety of events throughout the month honoring military children, including the Month of the Military Child versus Parent Basketball Game April 19 and the free bowling for military children at Potomac Lanes April 20. JBAB will also host a Month of the Military Child Celebration at Bolling Green Park April 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. “The Month of the Military Child is very important because it highlights the commitment, sacrifices, and resiliency of our military children,” said Amanda Woodyard, education facilitator at the JBAB Military and Family Support Center. “Having an ac-
See Military Child, Page 5
Around the Yard page 2 Link directly to www.dcmilitary. com /waterline on your Smart phone
U.S. Navy photo by MCC Julianne Metzger
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens greets Alexander Burch, the 2013 Military Child of the Year, following a full honors ceremony honoring the visit of the Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy. Burch attended the full honors ceremony as a guest of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert and will be officially honored tonight at the Military Child of the Year gala.
INSIDE
Laboratory Professionals Get Results page 3
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
NSA Washington Responds to Suspicious Package By MC2 Kiona Miller Naval District Washington Public Affairs More than 800 civilian and military personnel safely returned to work after multiple tests of a suspicious package and unknown substance at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Arlington yielded negative results for hazardous material April 18. At approximately 10:25 a.m., emergency personnel from Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW), Arlington County Fire Department and Hazmat Response Team responded to the incident inside of Building 12 located on the base. Nearly 800 personnel were evacuated from the location as multiple tests for hazardous substances were con-
ducted on the suspicious package in the form of a letter. All materials were cleared for hazardous material by the Arlington Hazmat Response Team. “Looking at how we responded there, I think my guys handled it very well,” said Cmdr. David Varner, NSAW commanding officer. “The building was evacuated and we had great coordination, not only internally with tenant commands, but multi-agency coordination with Arlington County Fire and Hazmat Response Team, Navy Criminal Investigative Service and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.” In order to remain prepared and ensure first responders are trained properly, exercises are conducted periodically at the installation and region level. NSAW conducted a tabletop exercise
that same morning in response to the nations heightened alert for suspicious packages and hazardous materials. “We did a tabletop exercise this morning during our meeting, so I had my Installation Training Officer throw a scenario out that nobody knew about to determine what and how we would respond should an incident like this happen,” said Varner. “We learned some valuable lessons this morning and we got to execute them at 10:25 a.m.” Varner went on to say that although his training team and emergency response personnel are always prepared, the impromptu exercises allowed his team to respond with the advantage of having the incident fresh in their minds. “Communication was the key
between the Incident Command Post, the Emergency Operations Center that was stood here on the Washington Navy Yard and the Regional Dispatch Center to keep Naval District Washington informed,” said Varner. Safety remained a top priority during the incident. According to NSAW Chief of Police Michael McKinney, during the evacuation first responders ensured all personnel were accounted for and in a single location. “Anyone that was directly affected by the incident that may have been injured or come in contact with the substance are kept at a separate location because we don’t want them contaminating anyone else who was there,” said McKinney. “That’s our main goal to make sure everyone is accounted for and safe
so we as first responders continue to do the job and take care of whatever the incident is that we are currently on.” NSF Arlington is one of six support facilities within NSAW’s area of operation and located on the southwest side of the Arlington National Cemetery. For more information happening in the region visit the Naval District Washington Facebook page at http://www.facebook. com/NavDistWash. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook. com/usnavy, or www.twitter. com/usnavy. For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.navy. mil/local/ndw/.
Around the Yard April is the Month of the Military Child. Why do you think it’s important to honor military children?
Because they sacrifice quite a lot while their father or mother is away, it only seems fitting to give back to them. Bryan Plunkett NAVSEA Washington Navy Yard
The Waterline
Commandant, Naval District Washington Rear Adm. Patrick J. Lorge NDW Public Affairs Officer Edward Zeigler Waterline Staff Photojournalist MC2 Kiona Miller Writer Pat Gordon Copy Editor/Page Designer The Gazette/Comprint Military Publications Lorraine Walker All stories must be submitted by 4 p.m. the Thursday prior to publication. E-mail stories to: waterline.ndw.fcm@navy.mil or bring/mail to: The
They are the sons and daughters of those who volunteer to serve and sacrifice for us, and we value them. Chuck Radvansky NAVSEA Washington Navy Yard
Waterline, 1411 Parsons Ave. SE, Suite 205, Washington Navy Yard, 20374. Submissions should be free of military times and should contain the first and last names with ranks/rates, warfare qualifications, job titles and duty station/command of all persons quoted or referred to. All submissions must also include the author’s name and office or telephone number where they can be reached. If you have further questions, call or contact the editor at (202) 433-9714, fax (202) 433-2158. This commercial enterprise Navy newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services, retirees, DOD civilians and their family members. Contents of The Waterline do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy, and does not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute
When their fathers and mothers are overseas, they go through sacrifices while they’re away. This month shows our support for them and their parents’ service. Chief Kristopher Perez VFQ Washington Navy Yard
endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Navy, Naval District Washington or Comprint, Inc., of the products or services advertised. This paper is published by Comprint, Inc., 9030 Comprint Ct., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, (301) 9481520, a private firm in no way connected with DOD or the U.S. Navy, under exclusive contract with Naval District Washington. To place display advertising, please call (240) 4737538. To place classified advertising, call (301) 6702505. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. The editorial content of The Waterline is edited and approved by the public affairs office of Naval District Washington.
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This Week in Navy History April 25
1862 - Union naval forces occupy New Orleans, La. 1898 - Congress declares war existed with Spain since April 21, 1898. 1914 - First combat observation mission is conducted by a Navy plane at Veracruz, Mexico. 1959 - USS Eversole (DD-789) rescues 14 Chinese Nationalist fishermen from their sinking fishing trawler in the Formosa Strait.
April 26
Photo courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command
The U.S. Navy Good Conduct Medal is the third oldest continuously awarded medal in the United States. The Type I medal, above, was first authorized April 26, 1869, and was produced by E. V. Haughwout Company of New York. The medal was issued with a ribbon of red, white and blue material with no suspension pin. The recipient’s name was engraved on the reverse.
1869 - The Navy Good Conduct Medal is authorized. 1921 - U.S. Naval Detachment leaves Yugoslavia after administering area around Spalato for two years to guarantee transfer of area from Austria to new country. 1952 - USS Hobson (DD-464) sinks after colliding with USS Wasp (CV-18) with 176 lives lost.
April 27
1861 - President Lincoln extended blockade of the Confeder-
acy to ports in Virgina and North Carolina. 1865 - The body of John Wilkes Booth is brought to the Washington Navy Yard.
April 28
1962 - Naval forces capture Forts Jackson and St. Philip, La. 1965 - Dominican Republic intervention begins. 1944 - U.S. LSTs attacked during Operation Tiger. 1993 - SECDEF memo orders armed forces to train and assign women on combat aircraft and most combat ships, but not to ground combat positions.
April 29
1814 - USS Peacock captures HMS Epervier. 1898 - U.S. warships engage Spanish gunboats and shore batteries at Cienfuegos, Cuba. 1944 - Fast carrier task force, comprised of 12 carriers, commences two-day bombing of Truk. 1975 - Operation Frequent
Wind, the evacuation from Vietnam, begins.
April 30
1798 - Congress establishes Department of the Navy. 1975 - Saigon falls to North Vietnamese forces.
May 1
1898 - In the Battle of Manila Bay, Adm. Dewey defeats Spanish at Manila, Philippines. 1934 - Lt. Frank Akers demonstrates the blind landing system at College Park, Md., in an OJ-2 aircraft. 1945 - Vice Adm. Daniel Barbey lands Australian troops on Tarakan Island, Borneo, supported by naval gunfire. 1951 - USS Princeton (CV-37) aircraft attack Hwachon Dam using aerial torpedoes, only use of this weapon in Korean War. 1980 - Eleven Navy ships begin operations assisting the Coast Guard in rescuing Cuban refugees fleeing Cuba in overcrowded boats.
Laboratory Professionals Get Results By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer Medical Laboratory Professionals Week began April 22, and this year’s theme is “Laboratory Professionals Get Results.” At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), the Nation’s Medical Center, those results include more than 3,000,000 reportable tests performed by lab professionals annually, according to Navy Capt. Larry R. Ciolorito, laboratory manager. Navy Lt. Ephraim Escobar, laboratory officer, credits the behind-the-scenes work of the more than 350-member laboratory and pathology staff with getting those results and helping WRNMMC continue to be recognized as one of the top medical centers in the world for patient care, research and education. The staff includes nearly 200 civilians, more than 50 officers and roughly 120 enlisted members of the Army and Navy. The labs have “stellar performers,” according to Escobar, and Medical Laboratory Professionals Week “recognizes [them] and celebrates [their] hard work and dedication.” Some of the work laboratory professionals at WRNMMC perform includes complete blood count, urinalysis, coagulation, cultures, flow cytometry (identifying leukemia/lymphoma cells), semen analysis, chemistry, serology, blood bank, transfusion services, and more. WRNMMC lab professionals, such as Spc. Rachel A. Neitzke, Lee Evans, Ethny Obas, Nakita
Glorioso and Tracey Johnson agree the most rewarding aspect of their jobs is knowing what they do can help save lives. Johnson, as a health technician in Client Services, is responsible for receiving, organizing and maintaining and processing of clinical specimens for multiple labs. “She is the ‘face of the lab,’” Escobar said. “She takes part in many roles, from drawing patient blood, receiving samples from over 40 outlying clinics and shipping samples to over 10 reference laboratories. She’s an integral part of the laboratory that has a fast pace environment.” Johnson explained team work, planning, consistency and efficiency are necessary to providing quality patient care, and those qualities are found in the lab staff. “They are excellent team players who possess friendly and pleasant attitudes,” she said. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Justin Harris, a certified medical laboratory technician, explained that being able to treat wounded warriors and their families motivates him daily. “After being deployed to Afghanistan and working in a combat hospital, I was able to see the fruits of my labor. I left my deployment with a new prospective on life.” Medical Laboratory Professionals Week originated in 1975 as National Medical Laboratory Week under the auspices of the American Society for Medical Technology, now called the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. In the fall of 2005, National Medical Laboratory Week was changed to National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week to emphasize the person whose expertise is needed
Photo by Bernard S. Little
Ethny Obas performs blood chemistry testing, measuring the level of substances in the blood (such as electrolytes). It serves as an aid to the physician about the general health condition of the patients, help look for certain problems, and finds out whether treatment for a specific problem is working. in the performance of laboratory testing. There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the United
States, according to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, ASCLS officials say the clinical
laboratory professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease and has become a key member of the health care team.
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
NSA Washington-JBAB Fleet Family and Fun CAREER SUPPORT AND RETENTION The Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP)
Offers an array of services and benefits to transitioning service members, including computers setup for individuals to go online to different job banks, college and scholarship resources and career assessment tools. Resume Writing Workshops are offered which includes Federal Resume Writing Interview Skills, information on veterans’ benefits and a professional resource library; Two TAP Seminars and one Executive TAP Seminar - five-day programs - are offered monthly sponsored by the departments of Labor and Veteran Affairs, and include information that will benefit the transitioning military member.
years old are eligible for these home visitation services.
Deployment/mobilization/readiness
Assisting Sailors and family members prepare for deployment, manage separations and reunite and reintegrate with families and community through services including the Family Accountability and Assessment System, Individual augmentee (IA) Indoc Course and Deployed Family Fun Days.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Provides assistance to service members with special needs children and family members with medical needs including resource referral to medical, counseling and educational services, support groups and care providers. Assists in finding duty stations where needs are met. Mandatory enrollment per OPNAVINST 1754.2D.
Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP)
Offers seven basic services, which include job search strategies, job readiness, resource information, job referral service, individual counseling assistance, career planning and links to education and volunteer opportunities.
Personal Financial Management (PFM)
Program offers individual and family financial counseling, financial classes, and is responsible for the Command Financial specialist training in the Region (NDW).
Improve your speaking skills with Helmsmen Toastmasters
Join us Thursdays, 7:30-8:45 a.m., at the Pentagon Library and Conference Center. Toastmasters is an international organization that helps everyone speak, think, lead and listen better. For more info, contact Carl Sabath at carl.sabath@osd. mil, 703-695-2804, or Elizabeth Femrite at elizabeth.m.femrite.civ@mail.mil, 571256-8674. Remember, great Helmsmen say, “Yes!” To learn more about Helmsmen Toastmasters, visit http://helmsmen.toastmastersclubs.org
DEPLOYMENT READINESS/ FAMILY SERVICES Life Skills Education
Provides presentations to help commands meet requirements, as well as enhance operational and personal readiness including parenting skills training, couples communication, anger and stress management, conflict resolution, Child Abuse Awareness, Spouse Abuse Awareness and suicide prevention. Trainings can be customized to fit needs of the command.
New Parent Support Program (NPS)
Assists new parents in coping with the demands of parenting and military life through parenting education and training and home visits to new parents prior to delivery and after delivery; information and referral for military and community resources; child development screenings and monitoring. All active duty members and their families who are pregnant and or have children in the home from infancy to three
FFR/MWR Phone numbers Fitness Centers Washington Navy Yard, bldg. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-2282/2829
Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT) Ticket Office, WNY Bldg. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-2484 Travel Office, WNY Bldg. 184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 685-8299
Food & Beverage Catering & Conference Center, WNY Bldg. 211 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-3041/4312 Mordecai Booth’s Public House, WNY Bldg. 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 678-0514
Military and Family Support Center MFSC, JBAB Bldg. 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-6151 MFSC, JBAB Bldg. 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 767-0450
Other Important Numbers FFR Administrative Office, WNY Bldg. 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-3659 FFRP Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-4052
Fitness Center Renovations - Phase 1
Begins March 1 | WNY Fitness Center Phase 1 will include renovations to the 2nd and 3rd floors. The 2nd floor gym area and locker rooms will be closed but the equipment and locker rooms on the 1st floor will be available for use. Racquetball court #2 will also be closed so please coordinate reservations for use of racquetball court #1 at the front desk. The 3rd floor group exercise room will also be closed and classes will be relocated to Building 73 on the indoor tennis courts. Two changing rooms will be provided in Building 73. Towel service will be suspended throughout the entire renovations. For further information and updates throughout all phases, please do not hesitate to ask the staff members at the Fitness center. You can also sign-up for email alerts by emailing your full name and email to nsaw.marketing1@gmail.com.
Group Exercise Schedule through May 31
Monday 10:45 - 11:30 a.m. - Pilates 11:40 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. - Cardio Conditioning Tuesday 6:30 - 7:15 a.m. - Basic Training Challenge 11:40 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. - Yoga 12:35 - 1:20 p.m. - Cardio Conditioning Wednesday 11 - 11:45 a.m. - Zumba 4:15 - 5 p.m. - Yoga Thursday 10:45 - 11:30 a.m. - Cardio Conditioning 11:40 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. - Boot Camp Friday 11 - 11:45 a.m. - Lean & Mean
Latin Night at the Pub
May 9 | 4 to 8 p.m. | Mordecai Booth’s Public House Join in this Latin Celebration at the Pub! There will be a DJ, party specials and giveaways. For more information contact the NSAW MWR Marketing Department at 202433-5912 or nsaw.marketing1@gmail.com.
MWR Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-4662 MWR Marketing Department, WNY Bldg. 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-5912 Regional Child Placement Office, JBAB Bldg. 414. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-3055 Family Housing Office, JBAB Bldg. 414 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-0346 Liberty Program/Center, JBAB Bldg. 72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 685-1802 Outdoor Recreation/Equipment Rental, JBAB, Bldg. 928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 767-9136 Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, JBAB, Bldg. 602 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 404-7050
‘Keeping it in Neutral’ Good for Back Health From NSAW Safety Department Keeping a car in neutral gear is not a desirable action because the car wasn’t designed to move down the road in neutral. Keeping a neutral posture on the job, however, is the most desirable action to take because the human body was designed to work in a certain position in order to be most effective. Neutral posture equals good posture and is an essential part of ergonomics, which is the study of fitting jobs to the people who perform them. Personnel should try to achieve and maintain a neutral position as they work in order to avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Neutral posture is: - Head straight and facing forward. Extended periods of tilting, turning, or bowing your head put strain on your neck. - Straight back posture. Extended periods of twisting to the side or bending for-
Washington Nationals Tickets Special order your Washington National Home Tickets now at the Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) Offices! Three
ward put strain on the back. - Arms hanging comfortably to your side. Keep shoulders un-hunched, elbows close to your side, and forearms parallel to the ground. Working with your arms over your head, extended forward, or out to the side puts strain on your shoulders and elbows. - Wrists in a straight line with your forearms. Hands flexed up or down, bent to the side, or twisted for extended periods of time puts strain on your wrists. - Standing with your feet a shoulder width apart and your weight balanced. - No squatting or kneeling for extended periods; these positions put strain on your knees. - Sitting with thighs parallel to the floor, knees bent about 90 degrees, and feet resting flat on the floor. Following these rules will help to ensure a healthy and happier back. of the four discounted ticket sections include food and beverage credit with your ticket. For more information, contact the ITT Office at 202-433-2484 or 202-6858298.
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Ready to Ride: Training Requirements Set for Motorcycle Operators
Follow NDW on Facebook and Twitter
NDW has a Facebook fan page in order to provide updated information to all NDW residents, tenants, employees (military, civilian, and contractors), and the American public. Show your support, “Like Us,” and become a fan to see exciting news relating to the Naval District Washington. www.facebook.com/NavDistWash Follow us on Twitter @navaldistwash http://twitter.com/NavalDistWash NSAW has a Twitter page for the Washington Navy Yard to provide the public with up-to-date operating hours of the Navy Yard portion of DC’s Riverwalk. Follow us on Twitter @WNYRiverwalk http://twitter.com/WNYRiverwalk.
From Enemies to Allies: An International Conference on the War of 1812 and its Aftermath
Registration is open for the premier conference on the War of 1812 highlighting the most current findings about Maryland’s unique contributions to the nation’s Star-Spangled heritage. The conference is scheduled for June 12-15 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. From Enemies to Allies commemorates the bicentennialof the War of 1812 and the resulting two-century special relationship between the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This three-day conference includes field trips to Maryland 1812 sites, presentations by leading experts from three nations and networking receptions. Sessions include such subjects as “Privateers,” “The Enslaved Chesapeake,” “African-American Combatants,” and “Chesapeake Victims.” Registration includes a special reception and tour of “Seas, Lakes & Bay: The Naval War of 1812” exhibit, continental breakfast, Friday lunch, shuttle service and a flash drive of presented papers. To register, visit www.starspangled200.com/FETA
‘A Taste of Summer’ NSA Safety Stand Down
Naval Support Activity Washington will be holding a safety stand down May 15 at the Washington Navy Yard, Admiral Gooding Center Building 22, 2nd Deck Auditorium from 9 to 11 a.m., and 1 to 3 p.m. Topics include stress management, energy conservation, financial strategy, and traffic safety. For more information, contact Vanessa Huguley, safety and occupational health specialist, at 202-433-6982.
AFPAK Hands
By Beverly Jeffas NAS Patuxent River Motorcycle Safety Program Manager With warmer weather finally here, more motorcyclists have hit the roads, and whether it’s a thrill-seeking hobby or one to ride the worries away, motorcycle enthusiasts can agree that not doing it safely can make it deadly. Regardless of the make or style of bike they ride, it is mandatory for active-duty military motorcyclists, on and off road at any time, to complete the initial motorcycle rider training course and meet additional certain training requirements.
Sport Bikes Within 60 day of completing the Basic Rider Course or following the purchase of a sport bike, sport bike operators must also complete the Military Sportbike Rider Course regardless of the motorcycle used for BRC. The Military Sportbike Rider Course must be completed at least every three years thereafter.
Standard and Cruisers All standard and cruiser style motorcycle operators have to complete the Basic Rider Course 2, formerly called the Experienced Rider Course, or the Advanced Rider Course within 60 days of completing the BRC, or following the purchase of a standard or cruiser style motorcycle. This also is regardless of the motorcycle used for BRC. Standard and cruiser operators must complete BRC2 or ARC at least every three years thereafter.
Three-Wheeled and Attached Sidecars Three-wheeled motorcycles and motorcycles with attached sidecars are excluded from the follow-on training requirement. After successfully completing the required motorcycle safety courses, participants are issued a MSF Course Completion card. This card must be carried as proof of successfully completing the course. Failure to produce the card when requested by authorized personnel can leave the operator being denied access to base. Courtesy Photo
Personnel assigned to the Afghanistan-Pakistan (AFPAK) Hands program as “Hands” undergo an extended and wide range training pipeline including several phases of combat readiness. Pictured, four “Hands” pose upon completion of one phase of the combat readiness program at NIACT, Fort Jackson, S.C. They will attend several additional courses prior to beginning their challenging four month language training in either Dari, Pashto or Urdu. From left, Lt. Cmdrs. Isaac “Ike” Roland, Dean “Catfish” Samaniego, Nick “SWODI” Skirvin, and Chaldon “Wooge” Wooge. The AFPAK Hands program was stood up in 2009 by then Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, to establish a cohort of experts that specialize in the complexities of Afghanistan and Pakistan language and culture. These members provide persistent engagement on regional issues while advising leaders and commanders throughout the levels of governance and command. An AFPAK Hand is committed to more than 40 months with the program. During those months, a service member engages in 10 months of training, nearly two years of deployment in-theater in Afghanistan or Pakistan, and one year out of theater in the U.S. For more information on AFPAK Hands visit http://www.public.navy.mil/ BUPERS-NPC/CA REER/LANGUAGE_CULTURE/Pages/AFPAKHands.aspx.
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tive duty parent or parents requires children to deal with deployments, transitions, and reintegration, all while fulfilling their educational obligations. This is not always an easy task. It is an honor to recognize our military children this month. Their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.” Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to emergency assistance to military families, also held a ceremony honoring the Military Child of the Year for each branch of the armed forces April 11 at Pentagon City in Arlington, Va. Prior to the ceremony, Alexander Burch, Operation Homefront Child of the Year for the Navy, attended the full honors ceremony honoring the visit of the Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy at the Washington Navy Yard
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Marcus L. Stanley
Alan Magnes, a traffic safety instructor, teaches a motorcycle safety course to Sailors assigned to Naval Station Mayport. It is mandatory for active-duty military motorcyclists, on and off road at any time, to complete the initial motorcycle rider training course and meet additional certain training requirements. The NAS Patuxent River Safety Department offers these motorcycle courses free to active duty military. Retired military, current and retired DOD employees and family members can also take the base course at no charge, but must enroll as a “wait list” enrollee. For a schedule of motorcycle safety courses and to enroll, active duty military should go to their ESAMS account and click on “Classroom Training Schedule;” all others can set up an ESAMS account by contacting Anne Bailey at 301-995-4831. For assistance with ESAMS, active duty members should contact their activity Safety Specialist. For more information on these requirements, contact Beverly Jeffas at 301-995-4960. as a guest of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. At the Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year awards ceremony, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey applauded the honorees for their support and service to their communities and country. “These are incredible young men and women who not only do their parents proud, but do their schools proud, their friends proud, their communities proud, and ultimately the nation proud,” said Dempsey. “What sets military kids apart is that they have to earn a reputation, and then we move them, and they have to reearn it, and we move them again and they have to re-earn it again. It makes them stronger, it makes them more adaptable, it makes them more resilient, and it makes us damned proud of them.” For more information on events happening in NDW, visit www.facebook.com/ NavDistWash.
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REFLECT
Continued from 1 the BRAC transfer of Potomac Annex, and when I look back at a tangible accomplishment like that, it was fun and it was hard,” said Varner. “But the challenge made it that much more fun. When I came in, we knew we had this transfer coming up. So my team and I briefed Adm. [Patrick] Lorge on our plan, and a year later it was done. I will look back on that as a huge accomplishment because of the scale of it and the level of cooperation it required. But once you got all the right people in a room and you got folks talking, that’s when things started happening. And it’s those kinds of experiences here that I will remember.” He compared his command here to previous leadership positions he held in the Fleet, most notably while serving as an aviator. “One big difference I’ve noticed from being a tactical aviator to command leadership is that when you’re an aviator things happen fast, and in an instant you can see the fruits of your labor - did you hit the target or not. But when you get a little higher up and get more responsibility, things happen a lot
slower,” said Varner. “And when I talk about Potomac Annex and that BRAC, it happened slowly. But the big challenges, when you finally make it through, offer big rewards. And those are the ones you talk about.” Varner credits the open access to leadership and the experience of his staff and the other personnel at NSAW that have made his time here so memorable for him. “I think it has been confirming that if you go into any job with an open mind, some leadership capabilities, start asking questions, and trust the people on your staff, you’ll get through,” said Varner. While he prepares for his upcoming retirement, Varner also reflects on the sense of community that NSAW offered at his last installation. “In my time here, I’ve been constantly impressed at the level of service that our personnel provide,” said Varner. “The community service they participate in, being able to do more with less, I’m very proud to have lead a command of community-oriented Sailors and civilians who are always willing to donate their time to the region. And I applaud them for that.” The NSAW change of command ceremony will be held at the Washington Navy Yard April 26.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
All Branches Participate in RECP when Using Navy Housing If this is a Department of Navy program, do I have to participate if I am in another branch of Service? All military members, regardless of branch of Service, living in Navy and Marine Corps PPV housing must sign a lease that requires the resident to participate in RECP. The Army and Air Force are transferring responsibility for payment of utilities to residents that live in their privatized housing much like the Navy and Marines Corps. NDW’s weekly RECP column will be providing you with tools and information on how to get smart with the Navy’s Resident Energy Conservation Program. RECP for electricity only is scheduled to start for NDW in October 2013. If you have specific questions regarding RECP, please email them to waterline.ndw.fcm@navy.mil and your question might just be featured on our column.
Book review
Shattered Genius: The Decline and Fall of the German General Staff in World War II Reviewed by Cmdr. Youssef Aboul-Enein Shattered Genius: The Decline and Fall of the German General Staff in World War II by David Stone. Published by Casemate, Philadelphia, 2011. An armed forces general staff represents the apex of military creativity, prioritization of resources, and the development of war plans for any developed nationstate. Senior members of a general staff also present the public face of the armed services, and the respective arms of service they represent. David Stone has written an important book on the peculiar relationship that evolved between Hitler and his National Socialist Party and the German General Staff. Through a series of gradual actions, Hitler would undermine the very foundations by which a general staff is supposed to function, causing the demise of the institution and its ability to provide attainable objectives. Luckily for the allies, Hitler’s relationship with the army would be marked with distrust, suspicion, and numerous attempts to conduct a coup against the dictator. The many assassination attempts of Hitler would culminate in July 1944, in which the Nazi leader barely escaped death, when a bomb was placed underneath a massive conference table at the “Wolfschanze,” or Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s headquarters in East Prussia. Two hundred people would be executed by the Nazis under suspicion of the 1944 attempt on Hitler’s life. Stone is a former British army infantry officer, who spent the majority of his career serving in Germany alongside German forces. He is the author of three other books tracing the history of the German army, and a volume on the French defeat in Indochina during the 1954 Battle of Diem Bien Phu. “Shattered Genius” traces the history of German general staff, which was developed by Helmuth von Moltke in 1857 as a sophisticated system of military com-
mand and control. Von Moltke envisioned bringing together the most competent minds to plan the movement, quartering, engagement, and mobilization of troops. Moltke’s “Prussian General Staff,” as it was called, drew in only officers who were recommended, and served three years, and this was to merely sit for a competitive examination to enter the Kriegsacademie, the Staff War College. Once accepted officers spent three years rotating between theory and the practical aspects of war, rotating between classroom and commanding field units. Of 400 who entered only about 120 graduated. 1913, according to the book, was a pivotal year as it expanded the number of general staff officers needed to 625, this class would see young officers like Heinz Guderian and Erich von Manstein, both of whom would serve in the senior ranks of German army in World War II and conjure up innovative battle plans and tactics such as the 1940 invasion of France. Between 1871 and 1914, the concept of “Auftragstaktik” would be developed and refined; this was mission oriented com-
mand, in which general objectives were given, and subordinates would be free to innovate ways to accomplish those objectives. It allowed for more fluid and innovative tactics on the battlefield. After World War I, the Germans were restricted from having a general staff, as well as had limits on the types and numbers of formations that would be fielded. General Joahannes Freiderich von Seeckt would be instrumental in finding ways to go around the limitations of the Treaty of Versailles to preserve Germany’s military capabilities. Von Seeckt created the Truppenamtes, the German Troop Office, as a cover for a German general staff. The education system to create officers for the Truppenamtes would be through two years part-time education, a third year training in a divisional headquarters, and the fourth and final year at the Reichwehr, the German War Ministry. The architect of the defeat of France in 1940, von Manstein, spent 1923 as a general staff tutor commuting by train to army units in Stettin. As Hitler rose to power in 1933, the Nazi party consolidated control of the civil bureaucracy and judiciary. However, Hitler always coveted control of the army. The Nazis would constantly bombard the officer corps with political messages intended to resonate; this included re-arming Germany, the re-introduction of conscription, removing the shackles of Versailles, and fighting communism. General Kurt von Schleicher would do much to court Hitler, wanting to incorporate former soldiers serving in the Nazi SA and SS into the regular army. In 1934, Hitler struck violently against SA leaders to appease the German Army, but retained the SS as a personal party bodyguard outside the control of the War Ministry. Soon after the violent purge of the SA leaders who brought him to power, Hitler engineered for the entire armed forces to take an unconstitutional oath of allegiance to him, instead of to the German constitution. In 1935, he created the OKW (Armed Services General Staff)
which added a layer over the OKH (The Army General Staff). In 1937, the Hossbach Conference, Hitler outlined to the generals that the invasion of Russia was inevitable. The book traces the gradual erosion of dissent among the German General Staff, but on the eve of World War II, you could still find Field Marshal von Blomberg and von Fritsch objecting to attacking France. Both these popular generals would be removed by Hitler. Had Hitler considered the advice of his general staff, he would have seized on the strategic recommendations of Adm. Erich Raeder and Gen. Franz Halder, who advocated that by taking Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, Germany could starve Britain of the resources needed to sustain itself in war by denying access to needed resources in the Middle East and Asia. Hitler was too obsessed with Russia to heed their advice. The book also provides insights into how OKH intelligence overestimated the French mobilization and tactical capabilities, but underestimated Russian forces. Hitler would assume direct control of the armed forces and this would spell the demise of Auftragstaktik, independence in tactical decisions, and the operational decisions of generals. The German General Staff became absorbed into Hitler’s ideology and gradually disengaged from strategic logic. Stone provides many lessons on civilian relations to the military, the proper role of a general staff in wartime, how a nation can hide its intentions through relabeling and euphemism, as well as the importance of allowing for constructive dissent in the formulation of military operations. Editor’s Note: Cmdr. Aboul-Enein teaches part-time at the National Defense University. He maintains a regular column in the Naval District Washington newspaper, The Waterline. Aboul-Enein wishes to thank the National Defense University for providing the book and a quiet place to write this review.
Waterline
Thursday, April 25, 2013
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Scanning the Horizon: Fastener Commonality Deep Dive Yields Naval Air Controllers Navy Supply System Efficiencies to Receive New Simulator System By Joseph Battista NSWCCD-SSES Public Affairs
U.S. Navy photo
The Air Traffic Control Tower Simulator System, similar to the one above, is an innovative training capability used to instruct Navy and Marine Corps air traffic controllers in a synthetic environment. The Navy has procured 38 simulators and began delivery in March. The first device will be used at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla. Full operational capability is scheduled for 2017. By Cindy Mattingly Naval Aviation Training Systems communications support Aimed at reducing production costs and upgrading outdated technology, the Department of the Navy launched the Air Traffic Control Tower Simulator System, known as ATC-TSS, with the first delivery installed recently at NAS Key West, Fla. A total of 38 simulators are scheduled for delivery at 34 Navy and Marine Corps installations and will replace the existing Tower Operating Training System (TOTS) as well as provide low-cost proficiency training. “Implementing a commercial trainer solution and leveraging the work done by the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Force and academia demonstrates our desire to provide quality and affordable training solutions,” said Capt. John Feeney, Naval Aviation Training Systems (PMA205) program manager at NAS Patuxent River. Feeney’s office oversees the ATC-TSS program. “The goal is to upgrade technology and increase daily training accessibility while simultaneously reducing operating time and life-cycle cost.” The TOTS, originally fielded in 1991, provided synthetic training to military air traffic controllers. Because of outdated technology, a decrease in the visual capability and issues with the speech recognition program, the Navy decided to replace it with the commercial system currently used by the Army, Air Force and public sector. The new system, developed by UFA, Inc., of Gaithersburg, Md., supports individual or team training and has both out-of-the-window and binocular views. The product offers 3-D graphics with simulated weather information, airfield lighting and integrated radar displays, as well as simulation of other key tower systems. Another capability includes a photo-realistic airport database for each site and moving models that prepare air traffic controllers to choreograph real-life aircraft movement. “The ATC-TSS is a new tool for Navy air facilities and replaces outdated technology at various Marine Corps sites,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Dugard, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division ATC training systems lead. “The first device will be utilized at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla.” Naval air traffic controllers, also known as swivel heads, are responsible for safely and effectively directing aircraft operating from airfields or the flight decks of aircraft carriers and perform duties similar to their civilian equivalents. “Our air traffic controllers are the military’s bird’s-eye view,” Dugard said. “They hone their skills through synthetic training. The ATC-TSS has built-in scenarios encompassing emergency situations and daily routines. Proper training ensures they are detail-oriented, work well in stressful situations, adhere to strict standards and are decisive.”
Naval Sea Systems Command completed a fleetwide fastener study, identifying and recommending the removal of thousands of fasteners from the Navy supply system, NAVSEA announced April 18. The 16-week supply system review identified 108,000 dormant fasteners - fasteners with no contract, requisition or maintenance history in the past five years - and 3,200 duplicate fasteners where two or more identical fasteners had different stock numbers. The NAVSEA Commonality Project management team led the study, collaborating with in-service engineering agents, technical warrant holders, program offices, shipyards, shipbuilders, the Defense Logistics Agency and original equipment manufacturers. “This fastener deep dive focused on basically anything used to secure two things together on a ship,” said Bill Moss, Commonality Project Management Team lead with NSWC Carderock’s Ship Systems Engineering Station (SSES) in Philadelphia. “This includes all the nuts, bolts, rivets, and pins.” John Sofia leads the NAVSEA commonality program established in 2007 to find cross-platform cost savings and avoidance opportunities. “The program has taken a systems level approach to define opportunities which the Navy may be able to take advantage,” said Sofia, “The commonality fastener deep dive is an example of using a supply chain approach to identify potential savings.” The Defense Logistics Agency documents the cost per year to maintain a stock number between $200 and $500 each, according to the Tessa Kashuba, a member of the Commonality Project management team. “The savings may seem small,” but when taken in context of number of dormant and duplicate [stock numbers], the cost escalates rapidly,” said Kashuba, “However, we have to be careful when we remove an item because we don’t want to eliminate something that’s still needed. For example, we may discover a fastener that hasn’t been ordered in a number of years, but then find out a ship is coming into an availability period that may require that fastener.” Another focus of the study was to work with shipbuilders and shipyards to familiarize them with NAVSEA’s Virtual Shelf. Virtual Shelf is an electronic repository of standard architectures, design guidelines, specifications and parts lists for ship systems. “Shipbuilders may go directly to vendors to purchase fasteners during ship construction,” said Dana Melvin, Commonality Project team member. “The fasteners they purchase may not have a [stock number], and must be added into the system if
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U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Sabrina Fine
Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Joshua Allen loosens a bolt on a milling machine aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Dwight D. Eisenhower is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
there isn’t a comparable fastener available. Our goal is to get the builders to use fasteners that already have [stock numbers].” According to Fredrick Kachele, Metallurgy and Fasteners Branch subject matter expert, shipyards machine their own fasteners, or do a local small-quantity purchase, when they cannot find a [stock number] for the fastener they need. Both options are very expensive, but NAVSEA’s Virtual Shelf can help users find required, qualified equipment at lowest total ownership cost. “The Virtual Shelf eliminates hours of fruitless searches for a part,” said Kachele. “It leads the searcher to a comparable fastener that will meet their needs. Prior to this, there was no reliable way to find a replacement part without knowing that NSN. New items purchased outside of the Virtual Shelf may need to go through qualification testing, which costs the Navy money.” For more information about the Commonality Program, visit https://acc.dau.mil/commonality. The Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, is a major component of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division and a NAVSEA field activity. It is the Navy’s principal test and evaluation station and in-service engineering agent for all hull, mechanical and electrical ship systems and equipment and has the capability to test and engineer the full range of shipboard systems and equipment from full-scale propulsion systems to digital controls and electric power systems.
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
New Control Systems Installed on USS Mount Whitney Saves Fuel By Joseph Battista NSWCCD-SSES Public Affairs
Courtesy photo
Naval Sea Systems Command completed the installation of new control systems aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), April 8, which will reduce fuel usage and crew workload.
Naval Sea Systems Command completed the installation of new control systems aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), April 8, which will reduce fuel usage and crew workload. Engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station (NSWCCD-SSES) SSES installed the new control
systems on a number of shipboard engineering components and are specifically designed to improve automation on the optimally manned ships. “Military Sealift Command-operated ships like the Mount Whitney traditionally have lower manning levels, therefore being able to operate many systems from one central control unit is essential,” said Matthew Douglass, Auxiliary Machinery Automation Branch head. “The automation of the controls greatly
improves the quality of life for the professional engineers aboard.” Todd Woltjen, mechanical engineer with Auxiliary Machinery Automation Branch who coordinated and oversaw the upgrades, said the improved automation saves money by reducing fuel consumption and lowering the electricity used. “For example, upgrading the main engine lube oil pressure system from constant two speed pumps to variable speed drives allows the pumps to throttle at speeds between 10 and 100 percent,” said Woltjen. “This ability uses less electricity and maintains more stable pressure, which saves money.” According to Woltjen, limitations in automation when the ship was built did not allow for optimization of the fuel-to-air mixture used in boiler combustion. This caused excess air in the combustion process and resulted in higher fuel consumption. “With current automation we can accurately measure more processes such
as combustible gases,” said Woltjen. “We can integrate data into more powerful [programmable logic controllers] to optimize the fuel/ air mixture and reduce excess waste heat up the stack - ultimately using less fuel.” Mount Whitney’s control systems were upgraded over three weeks from late March to early April during the ship’s availability at the San Giorgio Del Porto shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, is a major component of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division and a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command. It is the Navy’s principal test and evaluation station and in-service engineering agent for all hull, mechanical and electrical ship systems and equipment, and has the capability to test and engineer the full range of shipboard systems and equipment from full-scale propulsion systems to digital controls and electric power systems.
DSO North Offers Legal Defense Services to Service Members Defense Service Office North (DSO North) is the local office for legal defense services. Attorneys are available to provide advice to service members regarding non-judicial punishments, summary courts-martial, Article 138 and 1150 complaints, administrative separation processing, hardship discharges and suspect’s rights. Consultations are confidential. The DSO is located onboard the Washington Navy Yard in Building 200, Suite 1200. Walk-in hours are 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, or call (202) 685-5233/5595 to make an appointment. Service members should present in uniform.
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Link directly to www.dcmilitary.com /waterline on your Smart phone
Waterline
Thursday, April 25, 2013
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Keep Family Care Plans Up-to-Date From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs One way Sailors can honor their children during the Month of the Military Child is to review their Family Care Plan and update as required, officials said April 19. A Family Care Plan is a group of documents, including a Family Care Certificate (NAVPERS 1740/6), Family Care Plan Arrangements (NAVPERS 1740/7), and legal documents such as custody or separation agreements, custody and support orders, divorce decrees or related written agreements. “Due to the nature of naval service, Sailors must be ready to deploy throughout the world, on short notice, and be able to fully execute their military duties,” said Bill Harris, Navy Family Care Plan program manager. “Maintaining a current Family Care Plan for your children and adult dependents reduces stress and strengthens a deployable asset for the command.” The NAVPERS 1740/6 must be signed by the Sailor, the Sailor’s spouse if dual military, caregivers and the commanding officer. Each Sailor who is part of a married, dual-military couple must provide a Family Care Plan that is consistent with their spouse’s plan. Both service members shall maintain a copy of their family care plan with their respective command. Formal documentation of a Family Care Plan is required under any of the following conditions: - A Sailor with primary or shared physical custody of a minor child or children who is not married to the other natural or adop-
tive parent of the minor child or children. - Both members of a married dual-military couple where one or both have primary or shared physical custody of a minor child or children. - Sailors who are legally responsible for an adult family member who is incapable of providing for themselves in the absence of the Sailor. - Certain family circumstances or other personal-status changes resulting in a Sailor becoming legally and primarily responsible for the care of another person. Commands should review Family Care Plans annually with their Sailors, perhaps during annual Career Development Boards, validating the adequacy of the current plan to cover all reasonable contingencies. “There has been a rise in Sailors listing other Sailors on the NAVPERS 1740/6 as the Caregiver,” said Harris. “While this is not specifically prohibited, the use of fellow service members of the active and Reserve component to serve as caregivers in a Family Care Plan is inherently risky. This category of caregiver is subject to the same obligations as the service member creating the family care plan.” If the active or Reserve component service member acting as a caregiver is deployed, mobilized or recalled, the children or adult family member/dependent could be left without a caregiver and a Sailor’s care plan could be invalid. “It is strongly recommended that only non-service members serve as caregivers,” said Harris. Sailors must submit a new or updated Family Care Plan upon
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josue L. Escobosa
Family and friends wave as the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) arrives at homeport at Naval Station Norfolk after completing a nine-month deployment. This was Jason Dunham’s maiden deployment and was part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. reporting to a new duty station, change in caregiver circumstances, or change in personal or family circumstances, such as birth or adoption of a child, or assumption of sole care for an elderly or incapacitated family member. “Failure to maintain an adequate Family Care Plan may result in administrative separation from the naval service,” said Harris. A command Family Care Plan Coordinator can assist Sailors in developing a care plan. The coordinators act as the commanding officer’s designated representative
with regards to the Family Care Plan instruction, OPNAVINST 1740.4D, however only the commanding officer may sign as the command certifying official. Sailors may find additional assistance in completing a care plan from the Fleet and Family Service Center FFSC and base legal assistance office. Sailors are responsible to provide their designated caregiver with all information and documentation needed to execute the Family Care Plan and provide for the Sailor’s minor children or adult
family members/dependents. Family Care Plans are subject to inspection by the Immediate Superior in Command and Inspector General. More information can be found in the Family Care Plan instruction, OPNAVINST 1740.4D and at the Navy Personnel Command web site’s Family Care Plan section at http://www.public.navy.mil/ BUPERS-NPC/SUPPORT/READINESS/Pages/FamilyCarePlan.aspx For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy. mil/local/npc/.
From Oceans Deep to Skies Blue, Former Submariners Contribute to NAVAIR Mission By Jim O’Donnell V-22 Joint Program Office Public Affairs U.S. Navy submarines and their Sailor volunteers have patrolled the world’s oceans for more than 113 years. When the Navy marked the birthday of the Submarine Force on April 11, several employees at NAVAIR were celebrating their contribution to that legacy. Veteran Tom Farrell is an earned value management analyst with the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). He spent six years in the Navy, three of those on attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22). Farrell, who left the Navy in 2008, used the GI Bill to attend Frostburg State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, which led him to NAVAIR. “I went to college after getting out of the Navy and figured my military service and degree would allow me to perform well in the civil service, and began searching for federal jobs,” Farrell said. He was a nuclear-trained electrician’s mate, one of the three
nuclear-engineering ratings that work in the engine room of nuclear-powered submarines. “Nukes,” as they are affectionately called, are considered to have one of the hardest jobs on a submarine. “Serving onboard submarines allowed me to develop the ability to function on limited sleep,” Farrell said, “[to] work well in a teamwork environment and the ability to trust others; also the value of standards and procedures and maintaining a questioning attitude.”
they trust you with theirs. Stress is always around you, but all the training in school and on the job helped me work through stress effectively.”
Dolphins on a Leatherneck
Building Trust
Submarine duty paid positive dividends for others at NAVAIR as well. Serving on submarines gave me the “ability to handle stressful situations,” said Jason Morris, an engineer for the Air Combat Electronics Program Office (PMA-209). Morris served on the Blue crew of USS Tennessee (SSBN 734). The Tennessee is an Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and part of the United States nuclear deterrence triad. Ohio-class SSBNs can carry up to 24 submarine-launched bal-
Courtesy photo
Thomas Farrell assists his fellow engineers in hooking up shore power during a port visit. Farrell is now an earned value management analyst in the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA 275). He spent six years in the Navy, three of those on USS Connecticut (SSN 22). listic missiles. On average, these submarines spend 77 days at sea followed by 35 days in-port for maintenance. Each SSBN has two crews, Blue and Gold, which alternate supporting the submarines,
maximizing the SSBN’s strategic availability. “When you work on a boat, your life is in the hands of the 100 to 150 crew members,” Morris said. “You must trust them with your life as
Surprisingly, submarine service is not exclusive to former servicemembers. Marine Lt. Col. Eric Ropella, PMA-275’s Inservice Readiness Team lead, is a member of an even smaller NAVAIR minority, a Marine with “dolphins.” Dolphins are the warfare designation pins all submariners work toward earning from their first day onboard their submarine. It’s a crew qualification process to show fellow shipmates they have an understanding of all of the systems onboard the boat, and can be relied upon to do their part in a crisis. Ropella earned his pin in 1990 on USS Cavalla (SSN-684) where he was assigned for his Naval Academy “Youngster Cruise” during summer vacation between his
See Subs, Page 10
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Waterline
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Operation Praying Mantis Demonstrates Same Priorities Navy Values Today By MC1 Tim Comerford Naval History and Heritage Command An engagement 25 years ago on April 14, 1988 sparked a determined and quick response four days later from the U.S., known as Operation Praying Mantis, which demonstrated the same priorities the Navy maintains today. In early 1988, as part of Operation Earnest Will, the U.S. Navy was engaged in maintaining freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf as Iraq and Iran continued in a bloody war. The USS Enterprise (CVN 65) was operating in the region. Little did anyone know that what would happen that day would draw naval forces into action and alter the course of history. Watchstanders aboard USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), Northeast of Qatar, sighted three mines floating approximately one-half mile from the ship. Twenty minutes after the first sighting, as Samuel B. Roberts was backing clear of the minefield,
it struck a submerged mine. The blast injured 10 Sailors and tore a 21-foot hole in the hull, nearly ripping the warship in half. Quick and determined actions by the crew, who worked for seven hours to stabilize the ship, kept the vessel from sinking. “We heard about it right away and very shortly thereafter I was told I was going to fly off to Bahrain to help put a plan together and command one of the Surface Action Groups (SAG),” said Vice Adm. (Ret.) James B. Perkins III, who was a Surface Action Group (SAG) commander during Operation Praying Mantis. “We spent the 17th of April flying from one side of the gulf to the other, briefing the SAG commanders as to what the plan was.” Four days after the mine blast, forces, of the now-Joint Task Force Middle East, executed a response -- Operation Praying Mantis. The operation called for the destruction of two oil platforms used by Iran to coordinate attacks on merchant shipping. “The gas-oil platforms were huge structures,” said Perkins. “What I had in mind
were the oil platforms off the coast of Santa Barbra. But These were floating cities with berthing quarters and all that sort of stuff,” Perkins recalled. “On the morning [of April 18] we called them up and told them, in Farsi and English, that we were getting ready to destroy them and to get off the platforms,” said Perkins. “There was a lot of running around looking for boats to leave the decks.” By the end of that day the coalition air and surface units not only destroyed the two oil rigs but also Iranian units attempting to counter-attack U.S. forces. Naval aircraft and the destroyer USS Joseph Strauss (DDG 16) sank the Iranian frigate Sahand (F 74) with harpoon missiles and laser-guided bombs. A laser-guided bomb, dropped from a Navy A-6 Intruder, disabled frigate Sabalan (F 73), and Standard missiles launched from the cruiser USS Wainwright (CG 28) and frigates USS Bagley (FF 1069) and USS Simpson (FFG 56) destroyed the 147-foot missile patrol boat Joshan (P 225). In further combat, A-6s sank one Bodghammer high-speed patrol boats and neutralized four more of the speedboats. “The air wing from Enterprise did a superb job taking on the Bodghammers,” said Perkins. By the end of the operation, U.S. air and surface units had sunk, or severely damaged, half of Iran’s operational fleet. “This particular exercise, in my view, finished the Iranian Navy in the Arabian Gulf,” said Perkins. “They were still around
- but after that operation, they didn’t have as active a stance. Operation Praying Mantis proved a milestone in naval history. For the first time since World War II, U.S. naval forces and supporting aircraft fought a major surface action against a determined enemy. The success of Praying Mantis and the broad-based allied naval cooperation during Operation Earnest Will proved the value of joint and combined operations in the Gulf and led the way for the massive joint coalition effort that occurred during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The operation also demonstrated the importance of being ready to fight and win today, of providing offshore options to deter, influence and win in an era of uncertainty; and showcased the teamwork, talent and imagination of the Navy’s diverse, capable force. It also proved the value of all the training the Navy had done. “You have to be ready on a moment’s notice,” Perkins said. “You may not always have sufficient time to get prepared, so train hard and often. (In this case) it worked out very well.” For more information on Operation Praying Mantis visit Naval History and Heritage Commands website at http:// www.history.navy.mil/Special%20Highlights/OperationPrayingMantis/index. html. For more news from Naval History and Heritage Command, visit www.navy.mil/ local/navhist/.
SUBS
procedural adherence, accountability and most importantly responsibility, traits that have served him well as a civilian, especially at NAVAIR. “When I look back on it,” Bartsch said, “I was a 22-year-old qualified engineering watch supervisor, a watch station normally staffed by a chief petty officer, which essentially made me responsible for the operation of an engine room on a more than $1 billion nuclear submarine.” Former submariner, Randy Lewis, is a schedule development expert at NAVAIR, and like Bartsch a Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant alumni. “The nuclear power training pipeline led me back to Calvert County [where I am from] to CCNPP,” said the former nucleartrained machinist mate, who left the Navy in 1997. He worked at CCNPP for 11 years, where he said he held a number of positions and learned scheduling and project management skills, which led him to NAVAIR’s Research and Engineering Cost Department. “Being onboard submarines, along with being a Navy diver, remind me often that I’ve accomplished much more difficult tasks than typically faced with in everyday life,” said Lewis, who served on USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) from 1993 to 1997. “[Submarine duty] also taught me the true meaning of teamwork, trust and integrity. I still consider some of my shipmates my lifelong best friends.” Although Lewis hasn’t visited his boat since he left the Navy, he said his submarine past did “surface” at a meeting during one of his first NAVAIR assignments supporting the Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office (PMA 264). “I waited until the end of that meeting and jokingly told them that working for them was sort of ‘a conflict of interest.’ When I told them I was an ex-submariner, one of the leads threw his hands in the hair and leaned back in disgust. He was a former P-3 Orion anti-submarine aircraft crew member.
Continued from 9 freshman and sophomore years. An occurrence not uncommon for many Academy underclassmen, Ropella’s name was already well known on the submarine. His father, Senior Chief Corpsman (retired) John Ropella was already a member of the crew. “After about a month and a half aboard the Cavalla [both in port and underway],” Ropella said, “I was able to earn my enlisted dolphins, which I wore with pride during my remaining time at the Naval Academy and up until my commissioning in the Marine Corps in 1993.” But you won’t find the pin on his current uniform. “Marine Corps uniform regulations don’t allow me to wear my dolphins, but I do have them prominently displayed in my home office,” Ropella said. Ropella, a CH-46E helicopter pilot, said he understands the allure and camaraderie present on submarines. “I have always been intrigued by the submarine force and admired those who have chosen that career path,” Ropella said. “Because of its small size and mission, they are able to pick the best and brightest and tend to have a tighter bond than those in the surface Navy... in some respects, this mirrors the Marine Corps.”
Indelible impressions
It has been almost 30 years since Robert Bartsch, a team lead in PMA-275 earned his dolphins onboard USS Honolulu (SSN 718). Bartsch left the Navy in 1990 after 8½ years but his journey to NAVAIR was a little bit circuitous. “I spent 15 years at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant (CCNP) where I was in Operations, Maintenance and finally Program Management. I came to the government initially in 2005,” Bartsch said. He credits submarine duty with teaching him attention to detail,
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Waterline
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Thursday, April 25, 2013